tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53192557296220733152015-02-18T23:29:50.935-06:00Mae Mae... a daily account of one little lifeMaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-65828598837253369512014-11-18T10:51:00.001-06:002014-11-18T10:51:17.599-06:00IEP Meeting 2014Last week we had our second annual IEP meeting. I can't imagine how difficult that process might be for families when their school isn't a 'safe' place for their family. For us, however, Abi's school is like going to your favorite great-aunt's house. It's warm and inviting and exciting and you get the feeling that everybody is working behind the scenes to make sure Abi's time with them is the very best it can be. They are enthusiastic and positive and acknowledge Abi's many gifts. Our hour-long meeting was spent discussing Abi's strengths and the ways we can use those strengths to help her grow.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Some highlights from the meeting:</div><div><br /></div><div>- Assistive Technology team is providing a head-switch for Abi! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!</div><div>- Abi met her goal of being able to look at an object for 10 seconds. So, the team is also giving her an eye-gaze board!</div><div>- They are also supplying her teachers with a sensory pillow, and some other really exciting cause and effect pieces they think Abi will love. We will be able to check out any tools that are working and bring them home!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Each member of the team: Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Classroom Teacher and Speech Therapist shared with me the things they were doing in class and the ways Abi was responding. I love that they are allowing Abi to pick books and songs for the class using the eye-gaze method. She is included in every aspect of the class except snack time. We did however, reach a major milestone, when at her classroom's Fall Party last month I was able to attend and assist Abi in eating some of a sugar cookie, orange icing and a little bit of grape juice! It was very exciting for me. While Abiella<i> can</i>&nbsp;safely eat by mouth it's still a delicate process with some anxiety attached if not done in ways her feeding therapist has shown me. I'm sure we will be joining snack time in the future, but for now, I&nbsp;have a peace with pulling her out. As a major benefit, while her classmates eat a snack, she gets to go to the floor and receive some extra one-on-one time with her physical therapists. They use both school PT's at the same time and she seems to love being with them. It's a wonderful way to give Abi something special during that time that she really enjoys.</div><div><br /></div><div>I left the IEP meeting with half-a-dozen leftover muffins and the excitement that my girl is getting &nbsp;an <i>incredible </i>education! So thankful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">mama mae mae</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>PS- This school is a public elementary school that has a free early childhood program for eligible students. Half of the students in the early childhood program have varying special needs and the other half is considered typical. It's an inclusive, half-day program, 4 days a week.</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-68711568402200695842014-05-06T16:12:00.000-05:002014-05-06T16:12:55.929-05:00Abi's Tap Shoes<div class="MsoNormal">Last week I was in Goodwill when out of the corner of my eye I spotted these beauties.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8lFmg4WZs0/U2kog9-gLtI/AAAAAAAACzo/UL7J5f1idYg/s1600/tap+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8lFmg4WZs0/U2kog9-gLtI/AAAAAAAACzo/UL7J5f1idYg/s1600/tap+shoes.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Thinking they were a good pair of neutral flats, I picked them up to see if they would fit Abi and discovered not only were they the right size but they were TAP SHOES. <i>TAP. SHOES. <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal">This was monumental for a few reasons.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Abi loves loud SOUNDS and since we are working on mobility, I thought tap shoes could be an awesome motivation. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">We recently got a walker called a “kid-walk” (thanks to the amazing community of special needs mamas in this town). </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This amazing piece of equipment holds her upright and allows her torso to be totally secure while she explores the mobility of her legs. She LOVES to kick when she’s lying down or in her chair. Now if we can get her to do that upright, I think the possibilities are endless . SO I figure if she likes the sounds of the tap shoes on the floor, she might be enticed to bring those kicking skills into our time with the walker. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">“KICK! KICK! KICK! MARCH! MARCH! MARCH!”</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">&nbsp; </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">These are our new favorite phrases -- Followed by lots of clapping and us both laughing. Right now I’m still putting her feet a little bit behind her and letting her feel what it’s like to push off on her own and roll backwards a little. Today I saw her trying to move forward a bit when I was out of her view. A little independent exploration is so very very awesome to see.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHAUAKW1IYg/U2hWT4rwXoI/AAAAAAAACzY/OomjAhb01Tc/s1600/Abi+tapping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHAUAKW1IYg/U2hWT4rwXoI/AAAAAAAACzY/OomjAhb01Tc/s1600/Abi+tapping.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;">Meanwhile, I found my own tap shoes in the back of my closet. Abi laughs hysterically every time I walk in them. This is going to be a fun and *noisy* summer.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;">mae mae</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-19768349992832264032014-04-29T09:19:00.002-05:002014-04-29T09:19:09.227-05:00Abi's SchoolSchool- I still can't get over it. When Abi was first home, I knew that our services through TEIS (<a href="http://www.tn.gov/education/teis/">Tennessee's Early Intervention System</a>) would stop on the day before her 3rd birthday. TEIS would provide all therapeutic services in home and in clinic up until that point. (Hallelujah.) This wasn't something we thought too much about before she came home but WOW what a blessing it was. Our adoptive coordinator had mentioned it early on and when the doctors at the hospital asked if I'd like to be referred I gladly agreed. What a gentle way to be introduced to all the therapies. They came, interviewed us, evaluated Abi and then as a unit (parents and coordinator) we came up with a list of goals for Abi and then began facilitating services that would help with those goals. If I wanted feeding therapy in the house they set that up for me, when I moved they transferred all of our services to closer facilities. It was truly a massive blessing.<br /><br />From our first meeting with TEIS, I knew the next step, should we choose to participate, would be to allow Abi to attend a unique preschool program provided through the state to fill the time between her 3rd birthday and kindergarten. The first time our TEIS coordinator mentioned it, I was hesitant. I wanted Abi to have social interaction but this was big-kid education... in a REAL school building. "You mean my three year old would be attending <i>school</i>? Like big-kid school? Like a typical elementary school with a cafeteria and a flagpole and a principal and morning announcements and <i>everything</i>?" Yikes. Even though her class would only have three and four year olds, the thought was intimidating. I knew I had a year to decide if it was right for us. During that year we moved and our new house was located in the school district that I had attended for most of my childhood. It was familiar territory- exciting and happy familiar territory. Our new TEIS coordinator was equally as excited about the previously mentioned program and encouraged me to at least go for a tour. We went to the closest school offering this program (12 minutes away. SWEET!), we debated, we talked to friends who had walked the same path with their children with special needs, we gasped as 5th graders passed us in the hall (they're<u> SO BIG</u>) and after a lot of consideration we jumped in. We decided to give the (free) public school program a shot and then if we weren't satisfied, we would transfer to a private preschool program in our area for children with special needs.<br /><br />I'm ridiculously thankful. I can't even explain how much this program has blessed us. The class that Abiella is a part of is absolutely phenomenal. She goes 3 hours a day, 4 days a week. She is in class with three and four year olds and they meet in a local elementary school. Abiella's class is one of 4 in the building participating in this unique preschool program. She is one of 10 kids in her class, (hooray!) with,<i> bum-bada-bummmm</i>... <i><b>4 adults</b>.</i>&nbsp;These four adults include the classroom teacher (with a master's degree in early education), a mother of 5 who serves as an amazing aid, a NURSE who serves as another aid, and a rotation of a physical therapist, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. Good gosh&nbsp;<i>that's incredible</i>. It's an inclusive classroom. Approximately half of the students have special needs of varying types. The other half, considered "typical", must apply to attend the program and serve as peer mentors. It literally takes my breath away when I try to explain it to people. I feel like I'm living a dream.<br /><br />The truth is though, a program like this means nothing, if you don't have the right spirit. Credentials, degrees, and fancy buildings are worthless if the love and soul of a program isn't thriving in the heart of the person holding your child. And THAT is what I love most about this place. When I pull my van up every morning we are greeted by so many wonderful women who are ready and excited to love Abi, wheel her into the building and provide her with an amazing, exciting and safe educational experience. I drive away in awe every time. EVERY. TIME.<br /><br />So if you're thinking of looking into preschool options for your special kiddos, I highly encourage you to take a deep breath and at least<i> look. </i>I know not all programs are created equal and I feel very blessed to live near this one. Each situation has it's own unique fit. But WOW what an amazing blessing it is, to stand there with mamas and daddy's in similar situations and watch all our kids come out in a line to greet us at the end of their day. Kisses being blown to one another, Abi smiling ear to ear and teachers returning our precious cargo- Happy and well educated.<br /><br /><img src="http://twiniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/books.jpg" height="423" width="640" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div><br />Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-10829734338068670282014-03-21T11:33:00.000-05:002014-03-21T11:33:55.160-05:00Please Help Abiella Win an Adaptive Bicycle!!!!!!!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi Friends!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;">This is BIG news! Abiella's physical therapist has helped us enter an incredible contest that gives adaptive bicycles away to children and young adults with special needs. The bicycle our PT has suggested is absolutely AWESOME. It would allow Abiella to use her legs to work the bike while her neck, trunk, and head are completely supported. This could be SUCH a huge deal for Abiella. Independent movement! Summer fun! <b><i>AHH!!</i></b>&nbsp;If we win, it could be here in MAY!<i> Just in time for summer!</i> Ahh!! Please consider going to <a href="https://www.friendshipcircle.org/bikes/2014/03/abiella/">this link</a>, clicking NOMINATE, and then spreading the word if you feel so inclined :) Every nomination gets Abiella closer to winning the bike! The person with the most nominations automatically wins a bike and then everyone else who has received 50 nominations or more is put into a drawing for the remaining bikes. This would be such a <b>wonderful thing&nbsp;</b>for Abiella!&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She loves being outside and would LOVE the opportunity to enjoy the summer and ride a bike around the neighborhood like her other friends.</span></span><br /><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the link again:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><span style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><a href="https://www.friendshipcircle.org/bikes/2014/03/abiella/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.friendshipcircle.org/bikes/2014/03/abiella/</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgX0ddCCG8M/Uyu395rU6OI/AAAAAAAACzE/HarW53hol30/s1600/Abi+outside+in+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hgX0ddCCG8M/Uyu395rU6OI/AAAAAAAACzE/HarW53hol30/s1600/Abi+outside+in+chair.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Much Love Friends,&nbsp;</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.30000114440918px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mama Mae Mae</span></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-79208289723455481002014-01-24T16:14:00.002-06:002014-01-24T16:14:48.853-06:00Triple Time Steps and Doctors AppointmentsToday I went to the pediatrician with Abi and upon minute 50 of our wait-time my fatigue got the best of me and without thinking I went into my "must-stay-awake" default mode- Otherwise known as Tap Dancing. Abi was only half as impressed as I was. Turns out I've still got a pretty decent shuffle back, which paired with "Wheels on the Bus" playing through my phone speakers... I mean I had a pretty good thing going on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6G49IQLFs8/UuLjphR8VoI/AAAAAAAACy0/tlUk5oEER6k/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6G49IQLFs8/UuLjphR8VoI/AAAAAAAACy0/tlUk5oEER6k/s1600/photo.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div><br />And no, I didn't get a pic of me actually doing it. There's not a whole lot more awkward than a mom tap dancing in her child's doctor's office, WHILE TAKING A SELFIE, as her daughter watches beside only slightly impressed. So no. No pic. But as I pivoted and triple time stepped my way around the table Abi lay on, I kept a keen lookout and was about 70% &nbsp;sure I could stop my wings midway if I saw an incoming guest... I did resolve to the fact that I would probably have to explain the noise. It was a risk worth taking.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/jTW7CzeJXHQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/jTW7CzeJXHQ&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/jTW7CzeJXHQ&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Friday friends.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div><br /><br /><br /><br />Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-67249946757076817892014-01-14T20:04:00.000-06:002014-01-15T14:27:09.916-06:00Whew. And we're caught up. I've noticed that when most bloggers disappear for a while, they come back with "I was just so busy this month!" or "Things got crazy and I just haven't had time to write." But for me it was the opposite. I went away from my blog because things were <i>settling down.</i> Life was hitting an incredible groove and I found that I just wanted to sit and ENJOY the things I would have typically been writing about. The Fall was incredible. Our new neighborhood was a joy to walk through during the season. We got pumpkins from our local feed mill. (Like 30 of them.) We had parties for Abiella's first year home. (Quite an incredible celebratory weekend really.) We had fires with friends out back and lots of pumpkin pie...&nbsp;<i>it was just good.&nbsp;</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>(Immediate disclaimer: Many of the photos in this post from Abi's Gotcha Day and Christmas festivities were taken by my talented sister<a href="http://thriftary.blogspot.com/"> Maddie.</a>&nbsp;Thank you sister!)</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div>Here are some photos from Abi's first Gotcha Day :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/5829_10100183264428809_879614272_n.jpg" width="423" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1394417_10100183264114439_740560129_n.jpg" width="423" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1383348_10100183262337999_2062915869_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1382835_10100183263490689_460411124_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1380027_10100183263420829_1578615740_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1375818_10100183262946779_67015998_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1378723_10100183262911849_940346018_n.jpg" width="423" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1378087_10101380684120135_1626813564_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just magical.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Throughout the next few months we made friends with folks in our new town, Abi began riding horses every week, and I had the joy of sitting on our couch with a cup of coffee 3 times a week and watching her incredible teachers and therapists come into our home and work with Abiella on core strength, cause and effect, independent movement and so many other skills.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iy2B1wCRFV0/UtRS6Yrit0I/AAAAAAAACyU/gtkf29cJlug/s1600/abi+working+hard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iy2B1wCRFV0/UtRS6Yrit0I/AAAAAAAACyU/gtkf29cJlug/s640/abi+working+hard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So blessed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">---</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For Halloween, Abi was a bee. I mean come on.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/74553_10101415737941995_394107588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/74553_10101415737941995_394107588_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Here she is with her friend Charlotte at their awesome Trunk or Treat.</span></div><img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1385653_10151992289380575_1384044717_n.jpg" width="424" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1005371_10151992289770575_1432131380_n.jpg" width="426" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">It was the best.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Then came Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holiday season signified a change in the tides. Not only was a new year approaching, but Abi's birthday (turning 3) meant many things. For one, we would be losing one of her teachers and rearranging our schedules to keep the therapies going. Second, all therapies would go on winter break for 1-3 weeks, and third Abi would be starting school in January. As these changes approached, we hunkered down, enjoyed the colder weather, decorated the house for Christmas and spent a lot of time with friends. There were music awards, Christmas work parties, friends' wedding festivities, friends turning 30, a holiday party with all my old girlfriends from college, Abi's first time going to the movies with her girlfriend Charlotte and more.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/575466_10101513609845915_397434071_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Ashley's 30th after our friends wedding the night before: air mattresses, pjs, breakfast casseroles, mimosas, and JTT :) &nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1477419_10101513748033985_1917247352_n.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_j3V9FoLsA/UtSAg6J_VZI/AAAAAAAACyk/lv4S-3ZvJC4/s1600/school+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_j3V9FoLsA/UtSAg6J_VZI/AAAAAAAACyk/lv4S-3ZvJC4/s640/school+6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1471950_10101522709130875_1476209443_n.jpg" width="480" /><br /><img height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1520626_10101522709574985_382814759_n.jpg" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1476470_10101522706920305_182944028_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1476470_10101522706920305_182944028_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the week of Christmas finally hit, we celebrated with my dad, and then traveled to my grandmother's, spent an incredible night on the mountain with my mom and stepdad, and then returned to our home ready to welcome in a house full of guests from all over the country. The last 5 days of 2013 were spent with tons of homemade cookin', 3 meals a day with all 13 of us at the table in front of the fire, lots of time holding babies (Welcome to the family sweet Nephew Henry!!), and laughing until my sides were sore and my eyes couldn't stay open anymore. 1am would come quick and 6am would come even quicker. The house was full and happy and joyful and peaceful. In fact, after 3 days, I realized a few of us hadn't even left the house (like not stepped&nbsp;outside<i> at all</i>) and yet we hadn't even noticed. It was a dream, really.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpojRSqDOeg/UsYwYnFBbwI/AAAAAAAAPfA/u47j298oHVE/s1600/MR_2.jpg" /><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr3zGKkFpVM/UsYwZQ3_tGI/AAAAAAAAPe4/lEpsz2emjjM/s1600/MR_4.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-016ljW1nWIw/UsYzeULWrJI/AAAAAAAAPf8/P3HBJ-sHI3M/s640/MR_7.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NmUg8ZfOOI/UsYzdUfN5pI/AAAAAAAAPf0/geqQ0MgjDJQ/s640/MR_11.jpg" width="640" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="423" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVagdFo4S0o/UsYwXqmDvnI/AAAAAAAAPes/-6Jbj4HqCc0/s640/MR_1.jpg" width="640" /><a href="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1486648_10101542925277555_1324831695_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1486648_10101542925277555_1324831695_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1480494_10101536069686215_166054111_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-b-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1480494_10101536069686215_166054111_n.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><div><br />Best of all was seeing Abiella and Henry with each other for the first time. Cousins for life!<br /><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2W__5qNQkc/UsY2zOVlRBI/AAAAAAAAPgg/wdUHV6w3JZo/s1600/MR_14.jpg" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XjaS7JkZsGs/UsY2zGgVYnI/AAAAAAAAPgo/572O6NXFpE0/s1600/MR_12.jpg" /></div></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">Matching PJ's handmade by their incredible grandmother, Nana Baa :)</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>We rang in the new year with Sean's mom cooking an incredible meal of lobster, steak, and veggies...&nbsp;<b>Heck yes.</b> It was divine.<br /><br />Eventually, the house got quiet, the guests were gone and I was hit by the inevitable post-holiday blues. They were quickly swept away though by the winter storm that came in (exciting!) and then Abiella began school.<i>&nbsp;Whattt?!!?</i>&nbsp;Yep. Tis true. Abi is now attending school 3 hours a day 4 days a week... and I mean a big school with big kids and a cafeteria and a principal and a yearbook and<i> everything</i>. She receives incredible services there (PT, OT, Speech) all while being in a class with 9 of her peers. The first day I dropped her off, I cried as I drove away (predictable) and then sat with a coffee at Cracker Barrel and just looked at Sean with <strike>terror</strike>&nbsp;excitement in my eyes. I was excited, but oh so very nervous. Abi did great though.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Abi's first day of school!)</div><div><img src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1521750_10101560115932345_1017205622_n.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><div>The second day she had even more fun, and I'm so thankful for the amazing blessings of early education programs, safe environments, and incredible teachers/therapists. Today I met the mom of one of Abi's classmates and she told me that Abi was very happy this morning when she saw her (after I dropped her off) and that made me breathe a sigh of gratitude. Whew.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I sit here writing for the first time in months and it <i>feels good.</i> The new year has begun and with it brand new ventures.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers to <i>life</i>, <i>grand&nbsp;adventures</i> and <i>new beginnings</i> :)<br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Albertsthal Typewriter&quot;; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Happy 2014!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Albertsthal Typewriter&quot;; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">mae mae</span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-56520896186013691802013-10-08T10:00:00.000-05:002013-10-08T10:00:02.519-05:00Choosing Special Needs AdoptionI recently had the awesome honor of writing on a blog which I have admired for a long time. In fact, one day I was telling a girlfriend about this amazing family and she said, "Oh! <a href="http://sisterhaiti.com/">Sister Haiti??</a> Yeah- I read that blog all the time. That family is incredible." Isn't it amazing how the blog world can connect strangers from across the world? <br /><br />Salem is an inspiration to so many and an awesome advocate for orphans, particularly those on the waiting list with special needs. You should really go to her blog and read for awhile. Incredible.<br /><br />Long story short, when she asked me if I would be interested in writing a post about choosing "special needs adoption" I was honored.<br /><br />You can find that post <a href="http://sisterhaiti.com/sisterhaiti-ugandamama/2013/9/30/a-guest-post-choosing-special-needs-adoption">HERE.&nbsp;</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89F1hxn1gmw/UlMXO0qniWI/AAAAAAAACxw/dpcvHc38Rjw/s1600/Pic+1-+Meeting+Abiella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89F1hxn1gmw/UlMXO0qniWI/AAAAAAAACxw/dpcvHc38Rjw/s1600/Pic+1-+Meeting+Abiella.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks again for the awesome opportunity to tell our story, Salem!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many Blessings,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mae Mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-67962613892664064282013-09-04T12:35:00.002-05:002013-09-04T12:35:27.369-05:00Have You Seen This?Saw this commercial for the first time this morning. &nbsp;Sooo good.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/MzIg0vw8gNY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/MzIg0vw8gNY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/MzIg0vw8gNY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love. Love. Love.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-55833350119742506602013-08-27T10:15:00.002-05:002013-08-27T10:15:50.056-05:00Loving Everything About ThisI wrote <a href="http://www.maemcconnell.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-i-have-so-much-energy-finally-part.html">THIS</a> post two weeks ago about how I have always been chronically fatigued and how Isagenix products have literally changed my life. Well, I now have friends and family trying the products and seeing insane results. The more I learn about the company/products/etc the more I'm impressed. One of the most incredible things I've been learning about is the effect these products have had on children, specifically those with special needs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just watch this:&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GJuCPDX32rg?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />I JUST LOVE IT.<br /><br />Happy Tuesday!<br />mae mae<br /><br />If you have any questions about Isagenix email me at marysmcconnell@hotmail.com&nbsp;</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-9564350963388282372013-08-26T10:28:00.003-05:002013-08-26T10:28:58.133-05:00I'm Back... with a Giveaway!! Hi friends!<br /><br />Remember when I was doing the 30 Day Writing Challenge, and then failed miserably on the second half? Well, I'm <b>back </b>and ready to keep writing. I hope y'all had a great weekend- I know I did. I'm super excited to be back on the grid today with some great news... I've teamed up with a stellar team of ladies to give you an awesome <a href="http://www.mooreaseal.com/products/color-blocked-tote">mint colorblocked tote</a> from Moorea Seal's new <a href="http://www.mooreaseal.com/">amazing online&nbsp;shop</a>!<br /><br />I mean just look at this beauty:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="426" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0178/2834/products/mint2_1024x1024.jpg?6438" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />The giveaway will run from today (August 26th) to September 1st. I really hope you win and then send me some pics of you living life with your stellar tote. Enter away friends!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZbv_ZDGLs/UhtxiXKjrgI/AAAAAAAACxM/leWirzpYuuk/s1600/Giveaway_Hosts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZbv_ZDGLs/UhtxiXKjrgI/AAAAAAAACxM/leWirzpYuuk/s640/Giveaway_Hosts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.maddierichardson.com/">Maddie</a></b> | <b><a href="http://www.freckleditalian.com/">Megan</a></b> | <b><a href="http://www.jennyhighsmith.com/">Jenny</a></b> | <b><a href="http://maiedae.blogspot.com/">Savannah</a></b> | <b><a href="http://maemcconnell.blogspot.com/">Mae</a></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Rafflecopter Widget HTML: <a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ac412613/" id="rc-ac412613" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-75579680914012432502013-08-22T10:48:00.004-05:002013-08-22T10:54:32.212-05:00Abiella Riding a Horse!This week I had the unbelievable honor of watching Abiella ride a HORSE!!! Yep, she did it and she L-O-V-E-D it. Like mama like daughter! I grew up riding horses so to see my daughter on one for the first time was especially emotional- but even more than that was the huge wave of reality that came over me while I was standing there cheering her on. &nbsp;Just 10 months ago Abiella was confined to a crib in a large government orphanage. There were so many children in there and such low funding. When I inquired about her cough during our first visit, the orphanage nurse told me point blank: "These babies are on their back 22 hours a day, they're going to develop a cough." To remember the child I first held, who appeared partially blind, almost completely deaf, and little to no movement in her limbs... To the child I see today... kicking, laughing, SEEING, HEARING, communicating in her own way, and now RIDING A HORSE. It is a miracle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peZKk9l-CR8/UhYxqd40B6I/AAAAAAAACw8/wccHuLd7UFk/s1600/Abiella+horse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peZKk9l-CR8/UhYxqd40B6I/AAAAAAAACw8/wccHuLd7UFk/s640/Abiella+horse.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was truly one of those incredible "I can't believe what I'm seeing" <i>hit-you-in-your-chest</i>, <b>REAL</b>, life moments. My cheeks are still sore from smiling :) She will be riding once a week and I can't wait until next time!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Thursday from one <u>grateful </u>mama!</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-49973022113096358712013-08-19T23:52:00.003-05:002013-08-19T23:52:30.687-05:00TattooIt's no secret that I'm a fan of tattoos. I like them on men... women... children... just kidding. NOT on children. Unless that's part of their culture, in which case, carry on. But in all seriousness, tattoos are just kind of my<i> thing</i>. I might stalk you in the grocery store, ask about the meaning of your tattoo, inquire about the artist, comment on the shading... I mean, <i>I'm a fan</i>. (PAUSE: There are some really BAD tattoos out there. I grimace and cringe and feel my stomach tighten when I see one. Gosh- that must be a hard pill to swallow... I just always really hope THEY like it, and if they don't, that they magically convince themselves that it's awesome- or they get it fixed. &nbsp;But good grief- that's a lot of money/pain for some unfortunate art.)<br /><div><br /></div><div>All that to say, I have no tattoos.<br /><br />But that doesn't stop me from oohing and awwing over others... Here are some I love.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="I want to get a tattoo after I am married. I want something simple. I like this one a lot." height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/8b/6c/6c/8b6c6cf00999a8217ba6f4c0b4274918.jpg" width="640" /><br /><img alt="Bun and simple tattoos :)" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1c/ff/ae/1cffae6b54fc4268b5ab37f304c70d14.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="simple tattoo" height="412" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2e/20/33/2e20335c76534cc8de1210fe3a20e346.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday Night Folks.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-24194443387645624492013-08-18T23:07:00.001-05:002013-08-18T23:07:20.586-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="remember that." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/66/64/13/666413e6944c70d37d713164994d1afe.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Sunday friends.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-71369354173644262732013-08-16T01:11:00.001-05:002013-08-16T01:13:36.973-05:00Flea Fail and a Moving Mile.After 6 years, the pup's flea prevention failed me. &nbsp;<i>FAILED. ME</i>. &nbsp;Luckily, I think we caught it early enough but <i>still</i>... where there's one live flea there's thousands of eggs... or something like that, right? &nbsp;The good news is, the dogs have had PERFECT weather to be outside while I fix this debacle. I called the vet this morning and told them about our odd dilemma, "I gave them their (insert brand that is the opposite of Back-Circle) like I do every month and now they have fleas!"The kind woman quickly responded, "Yep. We don't even carry that brand anymore because it's not working for very many dogs anymore. It works for ticks, but for whatever reason it's not killing the fleas and dogs all over the city are getting them." Oh- awesome. &nbsp;<i>Glad I didn't spend $80 on 3 doses recently.</i>&nbsp;Oh well, point is, today Abi and I went on a hunt for the brand that DOES work, and when we got back with the goods we quickly stuffed those pills into some pastries and gave them to the dogs. &nbsp;(I was out of cheese and peanut butter- pastries was a fancy choice, but it worked.) And yes, just for prevention's sake I'm in the middle of treating my house too. I've only seen one but it's worth the effort.<br /><div><br /></div><div>On another note, have you seen the new Mumford and Sons video? That's all I'm going to say about that.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, my little town has a newspaper. I read it. It is amazing and quaint and informative and today I read about a family in the neighborhood across the street from us who needed to renovate their home for their daughter in a wheelchair. &nbsp;The community got together to run a 5k to raise funds. 100 people showed up and some people exceeded the 5k and ran 10 miles, some ran 20, and some ran a MARATHON. A MARATHON. According to the paper, "This town takes care of it's own." Wow. Tear streaming down my face as I read that out loud to Sean. I just couldn't get the words out. &nbsp;So thankful.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I have much more to tell you... horse back riding, walkers, mexican food, the flood of emails I've gotten regarding Isagenix (can't wait to tell you more about how you can JOIN ME in feeling super awesome and healthy) and my great aunt's autobiography. &nbsp;Too much to get to at 1:05 in the morning though. &nbsp;So I'm off to sleep.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy LATE Thursday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-933831216776101972013-08-15T00:23:00.002-05:002013-08-15T00:23:50.032-05:00Because it's fun...Geez louise it just never gets old. &nbsp;I dare you not to try some of these moves today.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/o8HkEprSaAs?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just unbelievable.</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(It may be 12:21am but I'm still awake- so this is day 14! Woohoo)&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-45488055231584097582013-08-13T23:20:00.004-05:002013-08-13T23:20:35.573-05:00Adopted from Africa- a linkupToday I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/">Adeye</a>, a mom I really look up to and follow from afar :) Her blog <a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/">No Greater Joy Mom&nbsp;</a>is always encouraging and often looks at what it's like to raise children with special needs. Since our daughter has Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly and eats with a feeding tube- I connect with her posts and love learning from her perspective. Today she asked families who have adopted from Africa to link up... and so here I am :) If you're here from the link-up, welcome! My husband and I brought our daughter Abiella home from Ghana in October of last year. She is the most amazing light and <i>precious</i> blessing in our lives. &nbsp;Every day is a new adventure and an absolute GIFT with this incredible child. I am SO BLESSED to call her my daughter.<br /><br /><img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/408239_10101114002482275_1261313379_n.jpg" width="320" /><img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/945631_10101149267406085_592052811_n.jpg" width="320" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Can't wait to read through the other blogs who linked up.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Tuesday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PS: This completes day 13 of the 30 day challenge! We're almost half way through!!</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-81999438112682817082013-08-12T23:14:00.001-05:002013-08-12T23:14:24.981-05:00Oh Dear 2 Year Old Molars...<div style="text-align: center;">You are not fun. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="http://imagesci.com/img/2013/04/babies-crying-pictures-14732-hd-wallpapers.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The end.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">mae mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-11455463073584016232013-08-11T23:07:00.000-05:002013-08-11T23:11:53.486-05:00Yo Mama Raps and Ships her Gas (or something like that.) I've been a big fan of K-mart ever since I <a href="http://maemcconnell.blogspot.com/2013/03/testosterone-fail-robbery-style.html">saw a thief run full speed into a glass door</a> while trying to get away. &nbsp;His 6'5" frame crumpled to the floor like a sack of potatoes. It was astounding. Nobody was hurt except maybe him and his pride, but&nbsp;I&nbsp;mean<i>, I'm still laughing.</i>&nbsp;But now, I'm an even <b>BIGGER </b>fan. &nbsp;Have you&nbsp;<i>seen</i> their new commercials?? The "I Shipped my Pants" (say that out loud quickly and you'll understand the humor) to the "Big Gas Savings" campaign (again, say it out loud) and now kids rapping on the school bus and a playground circle of "Yo Mama Compliments?!" I mean it can't get any better. &nbsp;So today I present you with my favorite k-mart ads. Cheers to their marketing team. I seriously want to go buy new school supplies and wear a rockin' tee now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/I03UmJbK0lA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/I03UmJbK0lA&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/I03UmJbK0lA&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br /><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/5cwRBkGrNDY/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/5cwRBkGrNDY&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/5cwRBkGrNDY&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/m1yir-p68xM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/m1yir-p68xM&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/m1yir-p68xM&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-70606242626483101182013-08-10T15:00:00.000-05:002013-08-10T15:00:00.786-05:00Mary Mary Quite Contrary How Does Your Garden Grow?Like a beast.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KypjooXaik/UgaSfwVhHaI/AAAAAAAACwo/tf8KoKJLliU/s1600/gardens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_KypjooXaik/UgaSfwVhHaI/AAAAAAAACwo/tf8KoKJLliU/s640/gardens.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Zucchini anyone?&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP4qZ8ylyVY/UgaR2g4sT1I/AAAAAAAACwg/5mx7Thia4tw/s1600/zucchini.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP4qZ8ylyVY/UgaR2g4sT1I/AAAAAAAACwg/5mx7Thia4tw/s640/zucchini.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One guess what I'm having for dinner tonight...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Saturday friends :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-75046817669249714102013-08-09T16:09:00.001-05:002013-08-09T16:13:23.958-05:00How I have crazy energy... finally! (Part 2- Where the energy comes from!)<div class="MsoNormal">Okay.&nbsp; Yesterday I mentioned how ridiculously tired I have been (for years) and how no amount of “eating right” or “eating clean” was making me feel 100% better.&nbsp; I was juicing, I was going organic… everything.&nbsp; And then I read somewhere that in order to get the same nutrition you would find in an apple from 1976, today you would have to eat 12 apples.&nbsp; Ugh. <i>Well that's not going to happen...&nbsp;</i>So that's when I finally turned to Carolyn and asked her what in the world she had changed in her perfectly organic diet to make her feel so much better.&nbsp; I listened, I implemented and well today, 3 weeks later, I feel AMAZING- Absolutely, off the wall, clean, clear thinking, wake-up-energized, kind of healthy… all because she introduced me to Isagenix. &nbsp;Many of you might have heard of this company, but if you haven’t- let me explain. &nbsp;Isagenix is a solution based system that cleanses the body of toxins and then replenishes you with optimal health and amazing nutrition. The products are all natural, no soy, no GMO, gluten free,<i> just incredible.</i> My friend calls it “God’s food.”&nbsp; And that’s what it is, FOOD.&nbsp; It’s not just supplements and teas, it is actual real FOOD that my group is not only feeding their family but trying to get into the hands of orphanages and extremely malnourished villages. &nbsp;In fact, I’m in a group specifically for parents who use this food with their children with special needs AND many doctors are suggesting it to their patients now.&nbsp; Formulated by John Anderson, (maker of Bare Minerals) these products are true to their word and as clean as it gets.&nbsp; I love that when I look on the back of my morning drink I see words that I KNOW like, “Wolfberry, Alfalfa, hibiscus flower, watermelon, kiwi, ginger, etc. etc. etc. “ <i>REAL food.</i> &nbsp;<u><i>Real </i>&nbsp;<i>food</i>.</u>&nbsp;Just amazing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, after listening to her testimonial of having lost 16 pounds in 30 days and feeling the best she EVER HAD, I decided to give it a try. After all, she<i> is</i> the parent to 15 kids (some with special needs), is the executive director of an amazing non-profit, Project Hopeful, (you may have seen her on the Today Show with Jenna Bush a while back) AND moving her entire family to serve at an orphanage in Guatemala. Surely if <i>SHE </i>was feeling amazing energy, I could too. So 3 weeks ago, I started the 30 day cleanse to jump start the program, and while many lose a lot of weight on the program, that is just a fringe benefit to the deep cleanse.&nbsp; By releasing toxins and drenching your body with raw-real-natural nutrients, your body starts to function as it was INTENDED to- and <b>MY OH MY is that something incredible! </b>I posted this with the following picture on our group’s facebook wall a few days ago: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">“I used to wake up exhausted and float through the day with one caffeinated beverage to the next. I could barely muster the energy to just get normal tasks done. 80% of my time playing with my daughter involved activities that required as little energy as possible... Reading books, playing the keyboard, watching a cartoon, etc. Today, almost 3 weeks into Isagenix, my daughter and I went outside and I put her in her stander. (She has CP and doesn't walk or stand on her own.) Then I pushed her while I RAN (!) up and down our long driveway for almost half an hour. She LOVED it! After that we gardened... This may not seem like much, but to us it's a very big deal. As she gets bigger and heavier I'm going to need more and more strength/energy to take care of her. Now I'm headed towards a stronger, healthier, more capable me<span class="apple-converted-space">- &nbsp;</span>Not to mention, Mama has energy to do the really active fun stuff now!!!!!!!!! Isagenix is such a blessing in our family already!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><img height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/999871_10101252080612595_661268474_n.jpg" width="300" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have NEVER in my life felt this good and I can’t IMAGINE what these products could do for Abi too.&nbsp; I am in a group of 1,000+ parents who are meeting with their children’s nutritionists, doctors, neurologists, pediatricians, etc. and incorporating this FOOD into their children’s diet.&nbsp; I’ve seen INCREDIBLE things happen through that group. One fellow mom, even had a family call her and say, “We see the same neurologist as you.&nbsp; He said that whatever you’re doing is helping your child more than he is and that we should talk to you about it.” It’s <i>real </i>folks and I can’t imagine living without it now. I want EVERYONE to experience this. &nbsp;I already have friends and family who have joined along side me and are gaining energy and shedding pounds like crazy - <i>AND</i> I would LOVE to have you join along side us too! If you’re interested or simply want to know more about the products shoot me an email at <a href="mailto:marysmcconnell@hotmail.com">marysmcconnell@hotmail.com</a>and I’ll explain away :)&nbsp; I really can’t stop talking about it :)&nbsp;In the meantime, watch this video and see if you’re toxic :)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/BCcevkFDJcw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/BCcevkFDJcw&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/BCcevkFDJcw&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-48063260529091095452013-08-08T18:00:00.002-05:002013-08-08T18:00:09.253-05:00Why I have CRAZY energy... finally.Guys, for the past... maybe forever... I have really suffered to maintain energy. So much so, that a few times I saw a doctor thinking "maybe I have a blood sugar issue?" or "maybe I have mono?" but NOPE. &nbsp;All checked out. &nbsp;I was just TIRED and basically wishing I could just do this all day:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://img.izismile.com/img/img2/20090622/bonus//1/tired_animals_01.jpg" /></div><br />Over the few past years, it just got worse and worse. I would wake up tired, barely making it through the day with one caffeinated beverage to the next, and then I would hit the bed exhausted. I thought, maybe if I ate really well I would feel better. &nbsp;So I started juicing, which definitely helped. &nbsp;But pretty soon juicing was too expensive and WAY too time consuming for my life. &nbsp;So then I started buying raw freshly made juice and getting it delivered to our door. But that wasn't a substitute for a meal the way our homemade juicing was, and it was also getting pretty expensive. So I began buying only organic food and even started gardening, eating fresh fruit and veggies as much as possible. But nope,<i>&nbsp;still exhausted.</i> I figured since motherhood requires so much energy, this was just my destiny. <i>&nbsp;To. be. tirrrreed.</i> But then my friend Carolyn, started talking on facebook about HOW MUCH energy she had and I was curious. I knew she was SUPER organic, making SUPER healthy eating choices, and yet even <i>she</i> hadn't been feeling great. So what had changed in her life that she now had a crazy amount of energy that she didn't have on her "perfect" diet? She was a mother to 15 children, many with special needs. &nbsp;She was also the executive director of an incredible non-profit called Project Hopeful AND she was in the middle of moving her entire family to Guatemala to serve at Village of Hope. &nbsp;How could SHE have so much energy and not me? &nbsp;I called her. &nbsp;I learned. &nbsp;And now I'm DOING what she was doing and I can't. even. believe it. &nbsp;I'm a different person.&nbsp;I'm still eating "God's food", only taking the best-rawest ingredients into my system and yet three weeks after implementing what I learned in our conversation I feel better than I EVER have. In my life. <i>Childhood energy included. &nbsp;</i>I'll share with you what I'm doing differently tomorrow- and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-7704027825451812812013-08-07T17:11:00.003-05:002013-08-07T17:11:35.565-05:00Waiting Rooms with Glennon and Mindy. Yesterday we had Speech Therapy for the first time and they took Abiella into the room without me. &nbsp;That was a first and I wasn't expecting it. So I just sat in the waiting room and twiddled my thumbs with the other parents. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hiOdaxDvAiw/UgKnIBXPviI/AAAAAAAACwI/YBFB0YJaaRE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hiOdaxDvAiw/UgKnIBXPviI/AAAAAAAACwI/YBFB0YJaaRE/s640/photo.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />30 minutes to do whatever I please? <i>What??</i>&nbsp;<i>I didn't come prepared for this!</i> &nbsp;Now I know better. Bring a book. &nbsp;Always bring a book.<br /><br />Speaking of books. &nbsp;I've read some pretty amazing ones lately. &nbsp;Let's start with this one:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.acappellabooks.com/files/acappellabooks/carryon.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Carry-On-Warrior-Thoughts-Unarmed/dp/1451697244/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1366903943&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=carry+on%2C+warrior">Carry On Warrior, Thoughts on Life Unarmed</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please tell me you've read this. I really can't even speak about this one because I just loved it too much. &nbsp;No words would do it any kind of justice. &nbsp;Just get it, and love it, and laugh, and cry, and then sit stunned at how much beauty and hilarity and honesty can be packed into 200 pages. Oh my.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Next, is this little diddy- a book my book club read together.</div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.textbookrush.com/getimage.ashx?ft=large&amp;isbn=9780307886279" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Hanging-Without-Other-Concerns/dp/0307886271/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375904960&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=mindy+kaling">Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This book hooked me from the beginning and a day and a half later it was all over. &nbsp;I wished there was more to read because anything less than 48 hours with Mindy is unacceptable. She's just too good. "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns)" is a memoir of sorts and <i>definitely</i> one of the most FUN books I've ever read. Somewhere on the cover it likens her to "Tina Fey's cool little sister" and I think that's a pretty accurate description. &nbsp;If you're into things that are funny and honest- get it. &nbsp;Also, you get sneak peeks at what it was like to write/star in The Office, guest write on SNL, and be around Amy Poehler :) I'm also pretty obsessed with the show The Mindy Project, so this was a great thing to read while they're on break.<br /><br />Okay. &nbsp;Go buy, go read, and enjoy. &nbsp;Any books you've been loving?? I'll need something for the waiting room.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">---</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-19987790185872634672013-08-06T17:34:00.001-05:002013-08-06T17:34:39.139-05:00Love Outside the Lines<div style="text-align: center;">My amazing talented, brave, dear, hilarious friend Megan is on a unique journey. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/11680_10151443467334322_145408789_n.jpg" width="426" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>She is adopting four children, advocating for hundreds more in Sierra Leone, recently&nbsp;<a href="http://gunghoheart.blogspot.com/2013/01/you-were-born-for-nothing-less.html">got married on a beach in Africa</a>, and has now put out an amazing EP. &nbsp;(<i>Did I mention she's an insane singer and songwriter? I was actually a major fan of her music before I ever even knew her.</i>) The EP is amazing and all proceeds from Track 1 go to <a href="http://www.therainingseason.org/">the orphanage</a> her children are currently living at, and the rest will help fund her adoption(s). &nbsp;The song, "The Best Yes" was written and performed with my husband, and the day they came down from the studio and played me that song was one of the most real moments of my life. &nbsp;Holding my precious daughter and hearing them sing, "You were the best yes" was almost too much for my little heart to take. <br /><br />So, go to <a href="http://www.gunghoheart.com/">her blog</a>, read more about her story, and get the EP off iTunes (link is below). &nbsp;You won't regret it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cS6Iax2qexA/UeVyadYZHEI/AAAAAAAABLo/8C_idxQQ7oc/s400/loveoutsidethelines+copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-outside-the-lines-ep/id668214017">Love Outside the Lines</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">mae&nbsp;</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-5414220629802204772013-08-05T18:31:00.000-05:002013-08-05T18:31:18.228-05:00Abiella plays the keys...Abiella has been working hard (or should I say playing hard) at learning the keys :) &nbsp;Abi is a natural "kicker." &nbsp;She's always been really active with her legs and one of her incredible teachers suggested we put the keyboard at her feet instead of her hands. You'd think I would come up with these ideas on my own!<br /><br />She seemed to catch on immediately and has been having a blast.<br /><br />Forgive the blurry photo... She plays pretty quickly :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcIjxS48M_Y/UgA0qcSkUOI/AAAAAAAACv4/fTB_UmpcStg/s1600/IMG_3457%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcIjxS48M_Y/UgA0qcSkUOI/AAAAAAAACv4/fTB_UmpcStg/s1600/IMG_3457%5B1%5D.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers to a new week and new skills :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">mae</div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5319255729622073315.post-54011322253221172452013-08-05T13:59:00.000-05:002013-08-05T13:59:52.436-05:00When Daddy Comes Home<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">My husband was out of town this weekend and when he got home this afternoon Abiella was pretty darn happy about it :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpTDEWWK_Bc/Uf_0vYvK5iI/AAAAAAAACvo/QVFVoCYjusk/s1600/IMG_3443%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpTDEWWK_Bc/Uf_0vYvK5iI/AAAAAAAACvo/QVFVoCYjusk/s640/IMG_3443%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you had a good weekend.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's 9:44pm my time so this successfully completes Day 4 of the <a href="http://www.maemcconnell.blogspot.com/2013/08/30-day-challengeand-its-not-diet.html">30 Day Challenge</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Wahooo!!!</i><br /><i>PS: This post was originally uploaded last night with a video. However, the link wasn't working this morning so I replaced it with a snapshot from the video.</i><br /><i><br /></i></div>Maehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14684114309660242163noreply@blogger.com2